What is dysautonomia?
Our body has numerous amounts of systems working together to keep the body functioning at its prime and at its healthiest. Two systems that work together are the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, both branches of the autonomic nervous system. Our sympathetic nervous system focuses on our “fight and flight” mode, making sure that we are always ready to go. Our parasympathetic nervous system is the opposite and helps calm down and take care of our body. These two systems make up the autonomic nervous system and together they function as a whole, one working while the other is relaxed. The autonomic nervous system, the combination of both systems just mentioned, is branch of the nervous system that controls our involuntary body functions like our breathing, heartbeat, digestion, skin temperature, bladder function, and many other involuntary actions. When the autonomic nervous system is not functioning properly, these functions can be inhibited or even excited more than what they normally are, essentially causing dysautonomia.
How do I know if I have it and what causes it?
Dysautonomia is relatively common affection millions of Americans every year. While sometimes it can be present right when you are born, there are some people that will gradually get it over their life. While it might occur entirely by itself there are some cases where it comes as a result of a preexisting condition, in this case becoming secondary dysautonomia. Diseases that can cause secondary dysautonomia include but are not limited to, diabetes, Parkinson’s, arthritis, Chron’s disease, Celiac disease, Lyme disease, and many others. If you suspect you might have secondary dysautonomia because of another disease, you can call your doctor or call us here at NorCal Brain Center for a free consultation. When the nerves in our body cannot communicate very well, this means that certain branches of our autonomic system are either receiving too much or too little stimuli. When the autonomic nervous system is not sending or receiving messages like it should then then you start to experience a multitude and variety of different systems.
What therapies are offered for dysautonomia?
As of today, there is not one set therapy or treatment for dysautonomia but instead a variety of things that you can do at home to help yourself. At NorCal Brain center though, we specialize in treating these conditions without medicine and offer therapies in the house to help our body better self-regulate. There are a variety of neurological therapies that are offered here that can help someone who is struggling with dysautonomia. Because there are different reasons and causes for dysautonomia, the therapies offered will differ from person to person depending on their specific needs. If you have any questions about dysautonomia, please call us at (408) 585-5275 for a free consultation. We are here to help you with all your questions.
